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10 Bangsamoro rebels surrender amid airstrikes

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Ten surrendering members of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters provided the Army information that enabled the government to launch an airstrike at the terrorist camp in the marshlands of Maguindanao, military officials said Sunday.

10 Bangsamoro rebels surrender amid airstrikes
THEY’RE SURRENDERING. Ten rebels of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters under Karialan faction headed by Kumander Gani Saligan (wearing sunglasses), 4th Brigade Commander of the BIFF 2nd Division, with his 10 followers surrender on Sunday to the 601st Infantry Brigade in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao under Division Commander Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, with Brig. Gen. Diosdado Carreon at the Officers Club House in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Mark Navales 

Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said the surrendering fighters all belonged to the group of Gani Saligan, a sub-commander of the BIFF Karialan faction operating in the area.

READ: 10 NPA rebels yield to AFP brass in Iligan, Davao Occidental

Two Air Force planes bombed Sitio Tatak, Barangay Tugal, Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao, destroying foxholes and running trenches of the terrorist group Saturday morning.

Brig. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, said the 10 BIFF fighters surrendered for three reasons.

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“These are their desire to be with their families and children, and even grandchildren, the continued and relentless military pursuit operations against them, and the benefits of returning to the fold of the law as experienced by their other comrades who yielded earlier,” he said.

Among those who surrendered were bomb experts trained by Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan.”

Marwan died during a covert police raid in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015, in which 44 police commandoes died.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said the children and relatives of the surrendering BIFF members may be qualified for a scholarship program the government is offering for them.

“Even former BIFF fighters who wish to study will be given priority,” he said.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana acknowledged that US troops were assisting the Philippine Army in its anti-terrorist operations in Mindanao, including airlifting soldiers wounded in fighting against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu.

READ: Jolo blasts: 20 dead, 81 hurt

The US also provided intelligence on possible terrorist threats, Lorenzana said.

“They have been helping us track these terrorists even before the bombing,” Lorenzana said, referring to the Jan. 27 bomb attack on a Catholic church that killed 22 people in Jolo, Sulu.

Also on Monday, ABS-CBN reported that Staff Sgt. Jerry Lubiano, who was wounded twice during the 2017 Marawi siege, was among the soldiers killed in fighting with the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

10 Bangsamoro rebels surrender amid airstrikes
AGAINST DISCRIMINATION. Senior high school students of Taguig City National High School wear the hijab (head covering) for a day to dramatize their sentiment against discrimination and celebrate diversity as part of World Hijab Day, an annual global event that urges citizens of all faiths to try the clothing in solidarity with Muslim women and girls. Manny Palmero

His remains, along with those of 4 other slain soldiers were brought to the Western Mindanao Command on Sunday night for full military honors, the broadcast network reported. 

READ: Army-Sayyaf clash: 8 dead, 20 wounded

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